Seekonk Speedway Readies for 63rd Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet
Seekonk, MA –On Saturday, January 17, 2009, the Venus De Milo in Swansea MA will once again play host to the Seekonk Speedway Awards Banquet. As the 63rd season under the ARC banner comes to a close, the staff and management will honor the 2008 ARC Champions.
Being honored for the first time will be Pure Stock Champion Scott Cestodio from Swansea MA, SYRA 750 champion Dylan Estrella from North Attleboro and SYRA 600 Champion Jake Spillers from Ashburnham MA.
While the Fast Friday series saw three new title holders, the Super Saturday honorees have 13 titles between them. Westport’s Flyin’ Fred Astle picked up his 3rd ARC Pro Stock title, edging out Tom Scully Jr. by just 4 points. Riding a division tying 5 wins, he becomes the fourth driver in ARC Pro Stock history to win a third title. A second generation driver, he came up through the Charger ranks and moved into the Pro Stocks in 1987. Fred picked up his first Pro Stock feature on April 30, 1988, and his first title in 1994. In 2007, he hooked up with former Pro Stock driver Ron Lauro, and picked up 6 wins over a two year period. Ron, a former winner in the Late Model ranks moved into the owners’ role several years ago, and with Astle behind the wheel, this formidable duo picked up Ron’s first title as a car owner.
Gerry DeGasparre Jr moved to the head of the Late Model class for the third consecutive season, and fourth overall, driving for his father, Gerry Sr. 2008 started slow for the Pawtucket RI native, waiting until June 21 to visit victory lane. He would go on to win three of the next four 30 lap mains, finishing the season with 5 victories, tops in the Late Model division. Gerry started in the Street Stock division, and moved into the Late Models in 1999, picking up his first LM win on September 11, 1999. Gerry picked up his first Late Model Championship in 2003, with additional titles in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Over this 6 year period, Gerry has picked up 21 first place trophies.
Robert “Sparky” Arsenault of Attleboro MA., for the third time in his career, sat atop the Street Stock Championship standings. An owner/driver for his career, Sparky has done most of the work himself, with the help of his son and daughter. Sparky picked up his lone win of the season on August 9th, ending a several year drought. Sparky started out in the now defunct Formula’s in 1991, picking up several wins before moving up to the Streets in1994. He picked up his first Street win on August 12, 1995. His first championship was picked up in 2002, with additional titles in 2007 and 2008.
Seekonk’s Mike Cavallaro sat atop the season points standings for the third consecutive season, Mike made the move to the Seekonk Sport Trucks in 2003, after spending several seasons in the Pro Stocks. Mike picked up his first SST win on August 2, 2003. Mike has become one of the most successful Seekonk Sports Truck drivers, picking up 26 victories over the 6 year period in this division, putting him one win shy of the division record. He has also won the champion trophy and honors in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Scott Cestodio tied for the all time division wins with seven in 2008 on the way to his first championship in the Pure Stock division, including 3 in 2008. Scott is running his third season in the Pure Stock class.
Dylan Estrella of North Attleboro picked up his first career championship in his 3rd season racing in the Seekonk Youth Racing Association. He started in the SYRA 600 class in 2006, picking up his first win on September 30, 2006. He moved into the 750 class in 2007, and picked up two wins in 2008 on the way to the title.
Racing his second season, Jake Spillers of Ashburnham MA picked up his first career championship on the strength of two wins, not including the prestigious DAV Fall Classic. Jake started out of the gate in Victory Lane, and book ended the season with his second victory on the final Friday night of the season.
In addition to the Championship Points awards being handed out, all feature winners will receive their hardware for their hard work. Also being awarded will be the Rookie of the Year on each division and the Most Improved Driver for the different classes.
The most sought after awards for the 63rd season will be the annual D. Anthony Venditti award, which goes to someone in the racing fraternity that has put forth the best effort for the betterment of short track racing. Former winners of this award are R. A. Silvia; Seekonk’s all time feature win leader George Summers, Monadnock Speedway owner Larry Cerullo, and several others from New England. Another sought after award is the Anthony Francis Venditti award, which goes to an individual who has strived for excellence. Former winners of this award are former handicapper George Martin, competitors Rick Martin and Vinny Annarummo, and track announcers Jim Powers and Kevin Boucher. Whose names will be added to the list this year?
Join us on Saturday, January 17, 2009, as we close out the 63rd season of racing at the Action Track of the East. Tickets are still available by calling the track office at (508) 336-9959.
Pro Stock Top Ten: Fred Astle Jr, Tom Scully Jr, Dave Darling, Ryan Vanasse ®, Mike Brightman, Ken Spencer, Jake Vanada ®, Tom Scully Sr, John Dabrowski
Late Model Top Ten: Gerry DeGasparre Jr, Kyle Casper, Kevin Casper, Jon Dickerman, Bill Bernard, John Hanafin ®, Matt Breault, Jeramee Lillie, Bob Hussey.
Street Stock Top Ten: Sparky Arsenault, Paul Lallier, Steve Axon, Tony Oliviera, Scott Serydynski, Brian Spillane, Paul Newcomb Jr, Ryan Lineham, Scott Bruneau, Mark Henshaw Jr.
Seekonk Sport Truck Top Ten: Mike Cavallaro, Bill Prisco, Charlie Rose Jr, Jody Tripp ®, Lenny Guy, Ed Gannon III, Rick Martin, Zach Tucan, Hugh Bowser, Brian Murray.
Pure Stock Top Ten: Scott Cestodio, Bill Chouinard, Tom Blackwell III, John Robidoux, Bob Hinckley, Nick Uhrig, CJ Mello, Mark Boisvert, Randy Moretti, Amy Arsenault.
SYRA 750 Top Five: Dylan Estrella, Casey Sanchez, Nick Ladyga, Kyle Kuchta, Brian Mondeau.
SYRA 600 Top Five: Jake Spillers, Dave Hutchins Jr, Kyle DeSouza, Kaitlyn Donovan, Branden Dion.
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR